The Sporting Group Disclaimer: Just like no two humans are alike, no two dogs, even of the same breed are alike! Just because the “typical sporting dog” is high energy, doesn’t mean that all members of this breed are! All characteristics given are generalizations ONLY and non meant to say that they are absolutes. Each breed group, the stronger the pure breed of the dog, the stronger the traits are going to be. Surroundings also play a part. A Sporting dog that is raised in the city may not have same natural instincts as his/her cousin raised on acres and acres of land in the country

History Descendants of dogs bred to work WITH human hunters. Specific breeds were originally designed to do specific tasks. Today, they may do something totally different or combinations thereof. Locate Flush Retrieve Called SPORTING, not KILLING Wolf killing instincts bred out gradually over time to condition the breeds to stop just short of the kill.

The Locaters Pointers and Setters Locate the game and indicate to the hunter where it may be found. Can become bored very easily if not given a job. May become “obsessed” with objects in yard Work WITH this breed, not against it! Hide the t-shirt you wore yesterday and encourage the dog when they locate it! Do not reward if they “kill” it, just when they find it!

The “Flushers” The Spaniels (Cocker, Brittany, Irish Water, Clumber, Springers, etc…) Designed to find the game and flush it out of hiding so hunter can kill it.

The Retrievers The Retrievers  Golden, Labrador, Chessie, Nova Scotia, Flat Coated, Curly Coated, etc… Designed to play the ultimate game of fetch! Usually love water games.

Sporting Special Requests Sporting dogs are usually high energy breeds. If not used as hunting companion, needs LOTS of exercise Sporting dogs are very focused These breeds generally need a job to do to keep them occupied Can become destructive or OCD if allowed to get bored Sporting dogs are very intelligent Are very quick learners but can be stubborn. Base training techniques on what your dog responds to best

Brittany: Locater Minimal coat maintenance Colors = Orange/white, liver/white or tri Health: Hip Dysplasia, Epilepsy, Hypothyroidism

Canine Hip Dysplasia

FHO

Pointer: LOCATOR May be too rowdy for small children Colors: Liver, lemon, black, orange. Either solid or mixed with white Health: Entropion, CHD, Hypothyroid

Entropion

German Shorthaired Pointer: LOCATOR Short tail, short coat = low maint. Colors : Liver or combo of liver/white Health: Lymphedema, CHD, Entropion, Bloat, OCD, Hypothyroid, vWD

Distal limb swelling from lymphedema

Germ Wirehaired Pointer: LOCATOR Harsh coat = hand stripping of undercoat Colors = Liver w/ white with ALL LIVER head/ears and white blaze Health: CHD, Hypothyroid, Epilepsy, Entropion, Elbow dysplasia, bloat

Sedge color Chesapeake Bay Retreiver: RETRIEVER One of oldest breeds in AKC and one of only created in USA Oily, waxy coat = daily brushing but not bathing unless VERY dirty (Hard to get wet) Any shade of brown, sedge, or deadgrass. Health: CHD, Bloat, PRA, hypothroid, entropion, OCD, Elbow Dysplasia, cerebellar abiotrophy

Brown color Notice that coat is much shorter than the curly coated retriever.

Mary with Chessies. Two brown (middle) and two sedge (ends)

Bloat (Abnormal accumulation of gas, food, liquid, etc… USUALLY leads to GDV (torsion)

GDV (Gastric Dilitation Volvulus) May occur without Bloat and can become chronic without gastropexy. Only 5% of dogs torse again after having gastropexy.

Video of mix breed dog with Cerebellar Abiotrophy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNo_a8GAwr0&feature=related

Curly-Coated Retriever: RETRIEVER Brushing can loosen curls, only comb occasionally, prior to getting wet! Colors: Solid black or liver Health: CHD

Flat-Coated Retriever: RETRIEVER Daily brushing if spending time outdoors. (Not as much as golden ret.) Colors: Solid black or liver Health: None major. Minor = CHD, Glaucoma, Osteosarcoma, Lymphosarcoma, bloat

Lymposarcoma

Golden Retriever: RETRIEVER. Loves everyone Golden Retriever: RETRIEVER. Loves everyone! Coat usually doesn’t mat easily but still needs bi-weekly brushing. Colors: Various shades of gold Health: CHD, Skin issues, hemangiosarcoma, lymphoma, mast cell tumors, hip and elbow dysplasia

Recently breeders have started trying to get a darker, red coat instead of traditional golden color. This red seems to be attached to an aggressive and unpredictable demeanor. USE EXTREME CAUTION!

Red Golden = aggression

Skin issues. May be hot-spots, environmental allergies, or food allergies

Labrador Retriever: RETRIEVER (#1 AKC in popularity) Low maint coat Labrador Retriever: RETRIEVER (#1 AKC in popularity) Low maint coat. Brush weekly Colors: Solid black, yellow, chocolate Health: OBESITY, CHD, elbow/hip dysplasia, torn ACL, entropion or disticiasis (Hairs grow from meibomian glad of eye and into the eye)

Elbow Dysplasia. UAP (Un-united anconeal process) Bones don’t connect properly

Osteochondritis dessicans (Bone and cartilage both involved)

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever: RETRIEVER = Bi-weekly brushing unless they get dirty. Sometimes called “LITTLE RIVER DOG” Colors : any shade of red usually with white on tail tip, chest or blaze Health: No major. MINOR = CHD, PRA

English Setter: LOCATOR Brushing q 2-3 d Colors: White base with Orange, liver, lemon, or black flecks Health: Deafess, CHD, Elbow/hip dysplasia, hypothyroid, OCD, PRA

Gordon Setter : LOCATER. Heaviest and slowest of setters Gordon Setter : LOCATER. Heaviest and slowest of setters. More protective than other setters and can be aggressive w/ other dogs or strangers Colors = Black and tan Health: CHD, Bloat, Hip and elbow dysplasia, cerebellar abiotrophy (Neurons in brain start to die off causing incoordination) No prevention other than selective breeding and NO CURE.

Irish Red and white Setter

Irish Setter: LOCATER. Very energetic. Needs an outlet Irish Setter: LOCATER. Very energetic. Needs an outlet. Can be too energetic for small children. Regular brushing to keep coat from matting. Colors: Mahogony, Chestnut or red. Health: PRA, CHD, bloat, megaesophagus, panosteitis, Osteosarcoma, hypothyroid, OCD, epilepsy

PRA

Megaesophagus

Feeder demo for megaesophagus dogs

Even little dogs can get megaesophagus

American Water Spaniel: FLUSHER. LOVES water, BIG barker/whiner American Water Spaniel: FLUSHER. LOVES water, BIG barker/whiner. Oily, curly coat should be brushed weekly. Floppy ears checked on regular basis esp. if smell is noticed. Colors: Solid liver, brown or dark chocolate Health: Mitral valve disease, PDA (Patent ductus arteriosis) Pulmonic stenosis, CHD

PDA. Second most common birth defect in puppies PDA. Second most common birth defect in puppies. (7 in 1000) Ductus arteriosis is normal in puppies, but should close shortly after birth. Connects AORTA to PULMONARY ARTERY. If this doesn’t close shortly after birth, can be detected as significant heart murmur. Can cause CHF if not diagnosed and treated w/ surgical closure. If there are already complications prior to SX, dog may need medications for rest of life. If untreated, 60% of dogs die w/in 6 months of being diagnosed.

Boykin Spaniel

Clumber Spaniel: FLUSHER. Stockiest of spaniels Clumber Spaniel: FLUSHER. Stockiest of spaniels. Very mellow dog, may need to be enticed to exercise. Drool and snore! Colors: White with lemon or orange markings Health: IVDD, Entropion, ectropion, otitis externa

IVDD

(American) Cocker Spaniel. FLUSHER (American) Cocker Spaniel. FLUSHER. Coat originally bred to prevent burs and thorns from penetrating to skin of dog. Very playful and unfortunately, hasn’t retained many of original hunting instincts. May be fear biters or urinate submissively. Colors: Solid black, black and tan, Brown w/ tan points, party color or ASCOB including cream, red, brown. Health: Cataracts, glaucoma, PRA, patellar luxation, entropion, ectropion, allergies, otitis externa, cherry eye

Drainage from otitis externa

Accumulation of excess tissue that may need to be surgically removed in aural ablasion.

English Cocker Spaniel: FLUSHER English Cocker Spaniel: FLUSHER. Other than USA, this is the more popular Cocker. Retained more of hunting instincts. Brush 2-3x/week. Ears cleaned weekly. Colors: Solid black, liver, red, black and tan, any of these colors on white backround, either party or ticked. Health: PRA, patellar luxation, cataract, CHD, kidney dz, hypothyroid.

English Springer Spaniel: FLUSHER. Playful but can be destructive English Springer Spaniel: FLUSHER. Playful but can be destructive. Can be a bit bi-polar. “Springer rage”. Switch is flipped and the “see red” and nothing brings them back. (Max) Colors: Black or liver w/ white, liver roan, tricolored Health: Otitis externa, CHD, Elbow dysplasia, PRA, retinal dysplasia.

Springer rage

Field Spaniel: FLUSHER. Independent but devoted. Needs exercise Field Spaniel: FLUSHER. Independent but devoted. Needs exercise. Brushing 1-2x/wk and clip hair in ears and between toes. Check ears weekly. Colors: Black, liver, golden liver, solid, bi-colored, roan or ticked, tan points, white on throat, chest or brisket Health: CHD, otitis externa, hypothyroid.

Irish Water Spaniel: FLUSHER Irish Water Spaniel: FLUSHER. Loves to entertain but can be very stubborn. Must have patience when training. Lots of coat maint. NO HAIR ON TAIL! Needs brushing and combing 2-3x/wk. Will mat. Colors: Solid liver Health: CHD, otitis externa, distichiasis, megaesophagus, seizures, nail bed dz (If not dried properly after swimming.

Hairless tail.

Sussex Spaniel: FLUSHER. Slow worker, but GREAT nose Sussex Spaniel: FLUSHER. Slow worker, but GREAT nose! Have been so rare that inbreeding was a must!! Very laid back. May bark or howl when left alone. Brush 2-3x/wk Colors: Golden liver Health: CHD, IVDD, Otitis externa

Sussex spaniel

Welsh Springer Spaniel: FLUSHER. Not as rowdy as English Springer Welsh Springer Spaniel: FLUSHER. Not as rowdy as English Springer. Need extra socialization from young age. Brush 1-2x/wk. Colors: Rich red and white Health; CHD, Glaucoma, otitis externa, epilepsy

Spinone Italiano: LOCATER, FLUSHER and RETRIEVER Spinone Italiano: LOCATER, FLUSHER and RETRIEVER! Very gentle, calmer than other pointers. Weekly brushing. Colors: All white or white with orange or chestnut markings, orange roan or brown roan Health: CHD, ectropion, bloat, otitis externa, cerebellar ataxia

Brown Roan Spinone Italiano

Vizsla: LOCATOR. Bred to work closely with hunters and their guns Vizsla: LOCATOR. Bred to work closely with hunters and their guns. Very stubborn and destructive if not given proper strenuous exercise. Minimal grooming. Colors: Solid golden rust Health: Epilepsy, CHD, lymphosarcoma

Status Epilepticus

Weimaraner: LOCATER originally. VERY Hyper Weimaraner: LOCATER originally. VERY Hyper. Very destructive if not exercised. May also chase small pets like rabbits, etc… very low coat maint. Colors: Mouse to silver gray (blue) Helath: Bloat, spinal dysraphism. (Malformation of spine visible by ~ 6 wks.) No TX, won’t get worse. Is inherited condition.

Students silver (right) and Grey/blue (left) weimies. from a student.

Silver striping that disappears within days

Wirehaired Pointing Griffon: LOCATER Wirehaired Pointing Griffon: LOCATER. Great at taking direction from handler. Harsh coat = brushing 2-3x/wk. Colors: Steel gray with brown markings, chestnut brown, roan, white and brown. Less desirable colors: Solid brown, solid white or white and orange. Health = no major

Wirehaired Vizsla

REFERENCES: www.merckvetmanual.com www.petplace.com www.wikipedia.com Be the Pack Leader, Cesar Millan with Melissa Jo Peltier, 2007